News

The campaign for a new Poole Harbour Crossing has taken a further step forward today with the appointment of London based consultants, KPMG. The consultants' brief covers two core areas;

• Assessing options for a replacement crossing; looking at the existing road network, potential crossing points and the role of the existing lifting bridge.
• Reviewing the development potential of land in the Town Centre and the market opportunities which can create investment for this area.

KPMG, based in London, were one of four consultancies shortlisted by the Council. Councillors were impressed by their strength in the areas of local government finance and transport. KPMG will be able to bring their own transport expertise and experience of major infrastructure projects to work closely with Council officers.

The Council will also be involving local planning consultants Terence O'Rourke plc to advise on planning, urban design and environmental issues. Terence O'Rourke plc were part of the winning Poole Harbour Bridge international competition consortium.

A new harbour crossing will meet key national and local objectives of unlocking vacant development land such as that at the former power station site. Such sites can make a major contribution to sustainable development through the re-use of land, providing homes and employment close to each other and thereby reducing the need to travel and in promoting social inclusion by giving everyone access to facilities in a vibrant town centre.

Cllr Brian Clements, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group said

'KPMG will bring skills which complement those of the authority. Their background and knowledge of funding issues and infrastructure projects will be invaluable in establishing how we can deliver a replacement harbour crossing. The research findings will be vital in supporting the Local Plan Review and production of the Local Transport Plan.'

Cllr Ann Stribley, Leader of the Conservative Group welcomed the appointment stating 'The need for a new crossing is paramount to the economy of Poole, particularly in supporting the Port which is one of the town's most important assets. Terence O'Rourke plc will add local knowledge to the work being undertaken by KPMG'.

Cllr Brian Ellis, Leader of the Labour Group added his support to the appointment of consultants. 'The consultants will be able to assess alternative options and inform the Council of how we can tap development potential and improve the facilities, services and environment for the residents of the town centre and Hamworthy.'

Work is already underway and the consultants will be reporting back to the Council in February.

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Notes:

KPMG is one of the world's largest providers of professional business advisory services to clinets across the public and private sectors. The firm has a large team of consultants who work with local authorities, government departments and other agencies, and they include specialists in economic development and regeneration, transport appraisal and project funding and local government finance.

KPMG is playing a major role in the development and implementation of the Private Finance Initiative and Public Private Partnerships. KPMG consultants and financing specialists are assisting government departments, public sector agencies and local authorities to identify and develop PFI/PPP opportunities and then to take proposals forward to tendering and successful completion. KPMG's experience extends across all sectors of public investment and the firm has been extensively involved with projects in the education, health, property and transport sectors.

Major transport projects on which KPMG is currently acting for local authorities include the Southern Distributor Road in Newport, South Wales (which includes a new bridge over the River Usk), a road providing access to a major regeneration site on the north west edge of Carlisle (which includes a new bridge over the River Eden) and, the provision of a new crossing of the River Tyne. Projects where KPMG is assisting local authorities to develop and implement strategies for the regeneration of brown field sites include a large neglected site in the City of Sheffield and a 30 acre site in the London Borough of Lambeth to be developed for public and private housing; in Bracknell, KPMG is working with private sector developers on a major £500million scheme for revitalisation of the town centre.